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Choosing an E-book Compiler

What is an e-book compiler?

You've written and revised your document, hired an artist who has produced outstanding graphics, and now you're ready to actually put together your first e-book. Now it is time to choose a compiler. What does a compiler do? To put it simply it takes your document and graphics and converts them into a read only format. This read only format can be a program or it can be a file that is used with another program. An example of a compiler that creates a program would be Deadeasy. I have used Deadeasy before and it has a lot of unique capabilities. An example of a compiler that creates a file to be used by another program would be pdf. Pdf files are read/used by Adobe Acrobat Reader. There are also compilers that create html files to be used by your web browser.

If you or someone you hired has created a file with graphics in HTML, you will need an HTML e-book compiler. This type of compiler requires a working knowledge of the HTML tag language. You can also use software to do this for you, such as Microsoft FrontPage or Macromedia Dreamweaver.

How do you choose an e-book compiler?

There are a large number of e-book compilers available on the market, all with glowing sales copy and teckie language. It can get very confusing and overwhelming very fast without some simple guidelines to help you figure out which compiler is right for you.

Choosing an e-book compiler depends on a number of factors:

I think the most important aspect to consider when choosing a complier is your audience. Will their computer be able to access the file? Will they be able to install the application required to read the file. Note, a lot of companies do not allow the user to install outside applications on the company PC. If this is the case you may loose the sale simply because they can not use the software. 1. How did you create your pages? Do you want to use EXE or PDF format? There are many more compilers available for EXE, but you can find some very good compilers that will covert to PDF.

2. Consider how easy the program is to use and the thoroughness of the software's instruction manual. It is absolutely necessary that the compiler you buy have an instructional manual, documentation, or online "wizards." If it doesn't, your chances of figuring out how to correctly use the program are compromised, and the time required doing so is going to be significant. Many manufacturers of compilers offer a free trial version so you can play around with it and see if it suits your needs. Download the trial version and ascertain that it actually does what it claims to do.

3. Security features. If you plan to sell your e-book, check out the security features of the compiler software carefully. Security features should include: prevention of the reader from modifying text, access only to the pages you assign or by entering a password, different ways of generating passwords such as secure passwords, user-friendly, and open passwords.

4. Supported scripting. Find out what scripts the software supports. Scripting allows you to create special effects, customize menus, and create and modify other user interactivity. Choose a compiler that permits you to include graphics, search windows, hyperlinks, forms, surveys, etc.

5. Pricing. This is a factor that is not always easy to gauge. The highest priced compilers are not automatically your best choice. Choose your compiler based on the necessary requirements for your E-book. That means you need to know exactly how you plan to use your E-book and what functions you require.

Let's look at some of these factors in more detail.

First of all, make sure you have the correct browser to run the compiler. The majority of EXE compilers are custom programs that ‘compile’ you material into a program that runs on the PC. Some of these compilers use Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator to view the e-book. Compilers that require a browser will not run on a computer that does not have the required browser installed. However, there are e-book EXE compilers that don't require you to have any browser installed on your computer. These compilers run on any Windows system.

If you choose a compiler that requires a browser, check to ascertain that the browser is installed correctly and that it is properly configured to the specifications of the compiler. Check to see if certain functions are turned off or on, and make any adjustments according to the compiler instructions.

Security is an essential element of any compiler, regardless of whether you plan to sell or give away your e-book. One of the main reasons for using a compiler is to prevent the reader from modifying the contents. A secure compiler allows access only to the pages you want the user to access unless they enter a correct password.

To find out how secure an e-book EXE compiler is, open an e-book on it. While it is open, check the temporary directory of your computer. This can usually be accessed by typing in C:Windowstemp. If you see a bunch of files when your e-book is open or running, it means that your computer is decompressing the secure data from your e-book before showing the e-book to the viewer. This method is not secure! It means that anyone with the knowledge of how to access these temporary files can steal the secure data and then they can fiddle with your e-book to their evil heart's desire. Remember, one of the main purposes of buying and using an HTML compiler is to protect your property.

Next, let's discuss passwords. When trying to choose an e-book compiler, check out the type of passwords that the compiler supports. Almost all compilers offer some kind of password protection that insures that the user can only access the contents they have purchased from you. However, the best compilers offer varied ways to generate different types of passwords. Choose a compiler that gives you the options of secure, user-friendly, and open password generation.

Another important factor when it comes to passwords is how the compiler generates them. A compiler that has internal password protection generation built into the software is more secure than compilers that link to live Internet password control systems.

Find out if the compiler generates passwords online. If it has this option, it allows you to choose any payment processing system you want or to do the payment processing yourself.

Next, look into the size of e-book the compiler supports. The best compilers can create e-books up to 2 GB in size without decompressing the HTML pages or images to your hard disk. Usually, e-books that are 2 GB in size can easily support 6 GB of compressed data. The catch here is that only text files will generally be compressible.

You do not want a compiler that decompresses this amount of data when the user attempts to open your e-book. This would mean that anyone who purchases your e-book will have to wait for all the data to decompress before they can access your e-book right after downloading it. So look for compilers that only decompress temporarily files that are NOT HTML to the local hardisk. Non-HTML files include Flash, Word, and Acrobat files. This type of compiler is more secure and certainly faster.

Make sure the compiler you choose is compatible with your system software. Check out what version of Windows it requires, and make sure you have that version before buying your compiler.

Support issues are extremely important. If you are using a compiler that creates and EXE program, choose a compiler that includes an installation program. This program allows your user to choose a number of different places on their computer to install the e-book, to place a shortcut on their desktop, and to add the e-book, if they choose, to the Start Programs menu.

You also want excellent and accessible vendor support. Make sure you can access quick technical support! At three o'clock in the morning, this factor will be VERY important. Also, check to see the terms of free technical support offered. Unlimited technical support is obviously the best option.

Check to see if the company that puts out the compiler software offers a service level agreement. This agreement is to assure you of their quality response to your questions or problems.

A good thing to consider is how long the compiler has been on the market. Usually, the version number will give you an idea. The longer the program is on the market, the higher the version number, the more bugs have been worked out.

When choosing an e-book compiler, do not be swayed by incredible promises and dazzling sales copy. Do your homework first, and then consider all the above issues and factors before choosing an e-book compiler.

Choosing an e-book compiler.

I have used several different EXE compilers, such as:

EBookCompiler – This is a fairly easy e-book compiler and generates good security and executable code. Not very expensive at $29.95.

Dead Easy E-book Compiler – This is the one I use now when I want to create an EXE e-book. Very powerful, great security.

PDF Format

Another more universal method for creating e-books is with Adobe Acrobat or similar program. This is the program that creates the PDF files. With Acrobat you create your e-book in MS Word or some similar program. Adding in pictures, files, web links etc. When you have the finished product and are ready to publish, you convert the file into PDF format.

PDF format is more universal than EXE. Apple and Unix based machines can open PDF files. Which expands your market place. PDF files are secure however, just like the EXE programs anyone that really wants to steal your information can.

Everything that you read about preparing to create an EXE e-book applies to the PDF e-book so I wont repeat it here. Another advantage PDF has over the EXE style manuals is that you can create an e-book free of charge by visiting Adobe website. There you can create up to 5 PDF documents free of charge. You can also sign up for the online PDF creator. I have used this method off and on for a couple of years. As a consultant, if I need to create some documentation for a client, I will use MS Word and then convert the document to PDF before email it to the client. The process is very simple and quick.